NJ man pleads guilty in fatal 2012 ambulance crash

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in a multi-vehicle crash in Newark that killed two people.

The Essex County prosecutor's office says James Sterling, also known as James Megget, pleaded guilty Thursday to two manslaughter counts stemming from the Nov. 19, 2012 crash.

Prosecutors say the 30-year-old Elizabeth resident was driving a minivan that hit an ambulance in Newark, setting off a multi-vehicle crash involving a food truck and a county transportation bus.

Killed in the crash was ambulance attendant Keith Chipepo, a 30-year-old resident of Montclair. A patient in the ambulance, 58-year-old Martha Conley of Newark, died days later from injuries suffered in the crash.

Sterling is facing a 13-year prison sentence under terms of a plea agreement. His sentencing is scheduled for September 16.